Non-3GPP interworking function selection for public network integrated non-public networks

Abstract

A plurality of interworking functions, which provide interworking between a communication network acting as access network and another communication network, is associated with a plurality of network slices or non-public networks hosted by the other communication network. A user equipment performs connection (S 301 ) to a communication network acting as access network, and selects (S 303 ) an interworking function of the plurality of interworking functions based on information on a network slice or non-public network hosted by the other communication network, wherein the user equipment is associated with the network slice or non-public network.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 associating a plurality of interworking functions, which provide interworking between a communication network acting as an access network and another communication network, with a plurality of network slices or non-public networks hosted by the other communication network; and
 configuring a user equipment to select an interworking function of the plurality of interworking functions based on information on a network slice or non-public network the user equipment is associated with, of the plurality of network slices or non-public networks; 
 wherein the non-public network comprises at least one of a network slice of the communication network and a closed access group; 
 wherein the information on the non-public network comprises at least one of an identity of the network slice the user equipment is accessing and an identifier of the closed access group broadcast by closed access group cells that the user equipment is allowed to access; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on a type and/or service of the network slice; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on the type and/or service of the network slice and a differentiator of the network slice; and 
 wherein the identifier of the closed access group is a last used identifier that was stored by the user equipment. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the interworking function comprises a non-third generation partnership project interworking function; and/or 
 the access network comprises at least one of a non-third generation partnership project access network and a third generation partnership project access network; and/or 
 the other communication network comprises a public land mobile network, PLMN; and/or 
 the communication network acting as the access network comprises a PLMN; and/or 
 the communication network acting as the access network comprises a Non-Public Network; and/or 
 the communication network acting as the access network comprises the same network as the other communication network. 
 
     
     
       3. A method for use by a user equipment, the method comprising:
 performing connection to a communication network acting as an access network; and 
 selecting an interworking function which provides interworking between the communication network acting as the access network and another communication network, based on information on a network slice or non-public network hosted by the other communication network, wherein the user equipment is associated with the network slice or non-public network; 
 wherein the non-public network comprises at least one of a network slice of the communication network and a closed access group; 
 wherein the information on the non-public network comprises at least one of an identity of the network slice the user equipment is accessing and an identifier of the closed access group broadcast by closed access group cells that the user equipment is allowed to access; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on a type and/or service of the network slice; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on the type and/or service of the network slice and a differentiator of the network slice; and 
 wherein the identifier of the closed access group is a last used identifier that was stored by the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 for selecting the interworking function, including the information on the network slice or non-public network into a query for an internet protocol address of the interworking function. 
 
     
     
       5. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
 associating a plurality of interworking functions, which provide interworking between a communication network acting as an access network and another communication network, with a plurality of network slices or non-public networks hosted by the other communication network; and 
 configuring a user equipment to select an interworking function of the plurality of interworking functions based on information on a network slice or non-public network the user equipment is associated with, of the plurality of network slices or non-public networks; 
 wherein the non-public network comprises at least one of a network slice of the communication network and a closed access group; 
 wherein the information on the non-public network comprises at least one of an identity of the network slice the user equipment is accessing and an identifier of the closed access group broadcast by closed access group cells that the user equipment is allowed to access; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on a type and/or service of the network slice; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on the type and/or service of the network slice and a differentiator of the network slice; and 
 wherein the identifier of the closed access group is a last used identifier that was stored by the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the interworking function comprises a non-third generation partnership project interworking function; and/or
 the access network comprises at least one of a non-third generation partnership project access network and a third generation partnership project access network; and/or 
 the other communication network comprises a public land mobile network, PLMN; and/or the communication network acting as the access network comprises a PLMN; and/or 
 the communication network acting as the access network comprises a Non-Public Network; and/or 
 the communication network acting as the access network comprises the same network as the other communication network. 
 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for use by a user equipment, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
 performing connection to a communication network acting as an access network; and 
 selecting an interworking function which provides interworking between the communication network acting as the access network and another communication network, based on information on a network slice or non-public network hosted by the other communication network, wherein the user equipment is associated with the network slice or non-public network; 
 wherein the non-public network comprises at least one of a network slice of the communication network and a closed access group; 
 wherein the information on the non-public network comprises at least one of an identity of the network slice the user equipment is accessing and an identifier of the closed access group broadcast by closed access group cells that the user equipment is allowed to access; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on a type and/or service of the network slice; and/or 
 the identity of the network slice is based on the type and/or service of the network slice and a differentiator of the network slice; and 
 wherein the identifier of the closed access group is a last used identifier that was stored by the user equipment. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:
 for selecting the interworking function, including the information on the network slice or non-public network into a query for an internet protocol address of the interworking function.